Field Day Shows How To Maximize Benefits Hunting Land

Folks interested in improving their land for wildlife while also reducing the cost of land ownership and management have a unique opportunity to attend sessions taught by resource professionals at an upcoming field day event.

Representatives from the Wildlife Resources Division (WRD), Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC), USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, University of Georgia and Fort Valley State University will come together to share information with the public at the Agroforestry and Wildlife Field Day (AWFD) on Thursday, September 28 at the University of Georgia campus in Griffin.

The Field Day is from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and a wide range of topics are scheduled, including Bobwhite Quail Habitat Management and Restoration, Wetland Management for Waterfowl, Dove Field Preparation and Management, and Selling and Marketing Timber. A complete listing of topics and speakers is available at the AWFD website at <www.caes.uga.edu/events/awfd06/topics.html>.

The more than 20 demonstration sites will open at 9 a.m., and demonstrations will be repeated every 45 minutes. A host of vendors will be on hand under the exhibitor’s tent. Participants will be transported throughout UGA’s Westbrook Farm by trams which will run the entire Field Day site.

The event offers a unique educational opportunity as participants will have the opportunity to talk directly to wildlife biologists and other speakers about management of various species, ways that wildlife can benefit their land and how the participating agencies can help them better manage their land.

Previously known as the Land Use and Forest Management Field Day, the name and program have been changed to reflect the new and growing trend of landowners using their valuable land to maximize all aspects of the natural environment. This includes growing trees and crops together while allowing wildlife to flourish on the same property.
Landowners interested in maximizing the benefits of their timber can attend sessions offering information on prescribed burning, forest health, marketing and selling timber, Georgia’s Forest Stewardship Program, best management practices for forest roads and annual pine straw harvest.

For hunters, the field day also offers information on quality management of deer, managing for wild turkey, plus there will be information on the benefits of attracting wildlife, creating a backyard habitat, and controlling wildlife damage.

Those with wetlands on their property will want to attend the sessions on pond construction and renovation, waterfowl management and best management practices.

Participants attending AWFD will receive lunch and a program booklet that contains a short synopsis of each presentation. They may choose which presentations to attend and can board trams that will take them to the presentation areas where they will hear lectures and see site and equipment demonstrations. Attendees also will have the opportunity to visit with agency personnel, sponsor personnel and others at an exhibitor booth area.

Registration will be allowed on the morning of the Field Day beginning at 8 a.m. The cost is $40. However, those who register prior to August 29 will get a $10 discount and receive an AWFD cap.

For more information or to print a copy of the registration form, you can visit the AWFD website at <www.caes.uga.edu/events/awfd06/>.

Professionals may receive credit hours from the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide Division and from The Wildlife Society. Also, participants can receive six hours of continuing logger credits.

Directions: From I-75 take the exit for Griffin/Jonesboro (Exit 235, U.S. 19/41). Continue on U.S. 19/41 for about 25 miles to Griffin. Turn left at stoplight onto McIntosh Road. On McIntosh Road, stay in the left hand lane, continue to the next stop light and go across onto Experiment Street. Travel about 1/2 mile on Experiment Street to a three-way stop light. Continue straight to the main entrance on the right.